Riviera Golf Estates

Pros

• The community is described as the best in Naples.
• The people are awesome and friendly.
• The facilities are top-notch and the clubhouse is nice.
• The HOA is agreeable and has low fees.
• Homes move fast, signaling strong desirability.
• Neighbors greet newcomers warmly and make them feel welcome.
• The community features lakes and a central golf course, appealing to golfers.
• The sunsets are beautiful.
• Real estate prices are reasonable.
• The community is cozy, quiet, and clean.

Cons

• A board member was accused of discriminatory practices, denying a couple's home purchase and asking personal questions that made them uncomfortable.
• A Bayberry/Riviera Golf Estates resident was denied permission to host a small baby shower in the clubhouse for non-residents, calling the policy selfish and non-inclusive.
• One reviewer stated that they don't love the place.

Review

Naples seems to cradle a community that many who visit or move in quickly come to love. The Bayberry neighborhood, often described in connection with Riviera Golf Estates, is painted as a place where facilities are polished and the HOA runs smoothly, with what reviewers call "top notch" amenities and surprisingly low fees. The centerpiece appears to be a well-kept club environment that includes a golf course, lakes, and a clubhouse, all of which contribute to a sense that this is a place built for comfortable, active living. For many residents, the combination of a scenic setting and practical costs makes this an attractive option in the Naples area.

A recurring thread across the many positive notes is the warmth of the people. Reviewers repeatedly say that the residents here are friendly and welcoming, with neighbors who greet newcomers and express genuine wishes to see them become part of the community. The social fabric is described as vibrant, with a sense that the neighborhood is more than just a collection of houses - it's a place where neighbors look out for one another and where casual conversations can lead to meaningful connections. The idea of sunsets as a daily treat, along with the overall well-kept appearance of the area, adds to the feeling of living somewhere peaceful and pleasant.

Many mentions emphasize that the community is more than a typical mobile home park. There is a strong sense of retirement-friendly living, with an active calendar of activities and groups led by volunteers. People highlight dozens of opportunities to participate, suggesting a culture of involvement and mutual support. The presence of a golfers' dream - thanks to the central golf course - and the lakes add to the lifestyle appeal, with residents portraying it as a place where outdoor recreation and social life reinforce one another. The club house and common spaces are frequently praised as well-maintained centers for community life.

Nevertheless, not all feedback is uniformly positive, and some criticisms reach beyond personal taste or preference. One account raises a serious concern about discriminatory practices attributed to a board member named Kimber. According to the reviewer, Kimber did not approve a purchase for the reviewer and their partner, citing personal criteria and asking intrusive questions that left them feeling uncomfortable. The reviewer characterizes the experience as discriminatory and mentions plans to escalate the matter to housing authorities. This particular testimony casts a shadow over governance for that individual, signaling that there are perceived gaps between the idealized, friendly image of the neighborhood and the experience some residents have with the board.

Another point of contention concerns events and inclusivity within the Bayberry/Riviera Golf Estates environment. A resident describes an experience in which a request to host a small baby shower in the clubhouse on a Saturday - during a slow season - was denied on the grounds that events in the clubhouse are not allowed for non-residents. Even though the reviewer lives within the community, they felt the policy and its application were selfish and non-inclusive, raising questions about who gets to use shared spaces and under what rules. This incident contributes to a broader sense that, while the community has many strengths, there are rules or practices that some residents interpret as restrictive or inconsistent with the welcoming ethos many others describe.

Overall sentiment across the reviews remains predominantly positive, with many residents praising the amenities, the natural beauty of the area, and the friendly, close-knit social environment. The description of the neighborhood as a great place to live, with well-kept surroundings, affordable real estate, and a supportive volunteer culture, speaks to a community that can deliver a high quality of life for those who are drawn to its retiree-friendly, golf-and-social-focused lifestyle. Yet the critiques remind us that governance and inclusivity are live issues for any neighborhood of this size and profile.

In the end, the neighborhood is portrayed as a compelling mix: a sunny, well-maintained, lakeside-and-golf-centered community that offers strong social opportunities and surprisingly low HOA costs. It's described as a place where neighbors become friends and where an active calendar of activities can fill days with purpose and camaraderie. At the same time, it faces real concerns about fair treatment and consistent application of rules, which some residents feel must be addressed to preserve the inclusive, welcoming character that others celebrate. For prospective buyers and current residents alike, the overall picture is of a dynamic, appealing community with a lot to offer - paired with ongoing conversations about governance, inclusivity, and fair treatment.

This part of Naples, Florida offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With several places of worship, including St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and St Ann Catholic Church, residents have access to spiritual nourishment. There are numerous dining options nearby such as Culver's, Joe's Diner, and Napoli On The Bay III, ensuring that there is something for every palate. Medical care is readily available with multiple physicians' offices and pharmacies in close proximity, as well as hospitals like Physicians Regional Medical Center and NCH Healthcare System within a short distance. For leisurely activities, parks like Sugden Regional Park and Eagle Lakes Community Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, transportation is easily accessible with the Naples Municipal Airport and Naples Jet Center nearby. Overall, this area boasts a vibrant community with all the necessary resources for a comfortable senior living experience.

Places of Worship

• St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church (0.5 miles)
• St Ann Catholic Church (4.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Culver's (0.9 miles)
• Los Molcajetes Del Valle (2.1 miles)
• Joe's Diner (2.6 miles)
• Midnight Tavern (2.7 miles)
• Country House East (3 miles)
• Napoli On The Bay III (3 miles)
• Michelbob's Ribs (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Physicians Regional Walkin Clinic (1 miles)
• Adam Fueredi (1.1 miles)
• Millennium Physician Group (1.2 miles)
• The Mike Davis Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida (1.6 miles)
• East Naples Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Naples Diagnostic Imaging Center (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Misir Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• ARA Naples South Dialysis Center (1.2 miles)
• Physicians Regional Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• NCH Healthcare System (4.1 miles)
• Naples Community Hospital (4.6 miles)

Parks

• Sugden Regional Park (1.4 miles)
• Eagle Lakes Community Park (3 miles)
• Golden Gate Community Park (3.9 miles)
• Baker Park (4 miles)
• Gordon River Greenway (4.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Three60 Market (2.2 miles)
• EJ's Bayfront Cafe (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Bad Ass Coffee (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• Naples Municipal Airport (APF) (3.3 miles)
• Naples Jet Center (3.8 miles)